Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-04
LIVING IN NEW YORK.
How Some Men Manage to Subsist
Without Work.


Without Work.
NEW YORK, April 2.-There are
hundreds of men about New York who
are known not to have a dollar, but ap-
paGently live at the rate of $4,000 per
year. At the Hoffman House L know at
least five of such men, and there is not
person who knows them VINO does not
wonder how they manage to live at such
on expensive hotel. One OF them is man
we'll known all over the United States,
and he has lived here for more than three
years, to my certain knowledge, without
having performed days work. He had
always led me to believe, as he had every
one else, that he occupied the best room
in the hotel, and it was only few weeks
ago found that he did not live there at
all. Like the others, he has method of
living which is at least novel. He assO-
ciates with the leading men
of the country, and IL is necessary
for MIN to keep up an appearance OF pros
peritY. IL it was known that be lived in
a boarding house many OF these men
would refuse TO associate with him. Still
he does live in clearinghouse, all the
same; at least, he has a small room in
one which does not cost him more than
SO per week. In view Of The fact that he
mas such large and valuable acQualn-
lance, the hotel allows him the use of
letter box, so that all his mail is cent to
the hotel. he walks in there every morn
ing, and asks in loud tone OF voice, so
that every one can hear him: sis there
any mail in my bOxw Then those who
hear this wonder how the man can afford
to live at the hotel.
During the day this we'll known char
acter, whose title is colonel, meets any
mn no Of nj @
of the country. Some OF these gentlemen
want to be informed about the best places
of amusement, and the colonel, who is
we'll posted upon such matters, as indeed
upon all others, gladly gives them the
desired information. Possibly he gives
them points on the stock market, and
should they prove profitable the colonel
may share in the result. Among other
things he may possibly recommend his
friends to tailor, and he Is sure to have
a tailor know it, as it will make great
difference with him when he wants a suit
of clothes for himself.
Nine times out OF ten he will be invited
out to dinner. But once In awhile he
fails 10 this and he slips off and takes
dinner all alone at some cheap restaurant.
He always awaits until the place Is
about deserted and then he hides himself
away ia a corner. | saw him in one OF
when he saw me he tried to hide behind a
newspaper. When l went up and spoke
to him he acted as if he had been caught
trying to slip some of the tableware in
his pocket.
"Do you see that lady and gentleman
over at that tableW he Immediately
asked. "Well, there is peculiar cir
cumstance connected with them and 1
came in here simply to have chance to
study them.
l pretended to believe his explanation
by remaTkiBg that man OF his taste
could hardly bring himself to eat in a
cheap restaurant.
A hotel clerk told me there were any
number of men here Just like the colonel,
and for their accommodation the hotels
rent letter boxes. In return for the rent
of these boxes the hotel people pretend
that these fellows live in the hotel. By
this means they make their friends be-
lieve they are living in expensive style,
when probably $500 per year will pay
their actual expenses. Most of this
money is borrowed.
HARRY WALKER.